An Act to preserve within Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia, the most important historic properties relating to the battles of Manassas, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in order to establish satisfactory boundaries for the Manassas National Battlefield Park, in the State of Virginia, and to contain within such boundaries the important historic lands relating to the two battles of Manassas, the boundaries of such battlefield park hereafter shall contain that area which is bounded, in general, as follows: The south boundary of the park shall be the southernmost limits of the present federally owned lands in the south portion of the park; the east and northeast boundaries shall be that portion of the Bull Run Creek which extends from the south boundary of the park north and westward to the north boundary of the park as hereinafter prescribed; the southwest boundary shall be that portion of Compton's Lane from its nearest point adjacent to the south boundary and extending northwesterly to State secondary highway numbered 622; the west and northwest boundary shall he State secondary highway numbered 622, from the point where it connects with Compton's Lane and extending northward until it reaches the Sudley Church property; the north boundary shall be the northernmost limits of the present Federal park holdings in the immediate vicinity of the Sudley Church property. The boundaries of the park also may include not more than two hundred and fifty acres of land adjacent to the aforesaid west and north boundaries of the park, which land shall become a part of the park upon acquisition thereof by the United States: Provided, That the total acreage which may be acquired for the park pursuant to this Act shall not exceed one thousand four hundred acres. Such land or interests therein may be procured by the Secretary of the Interior in such manner as he may consider to be in the public interest.

For exchange purposes, particularly in connection with State and other highway developments, the Secretary is authorized to accept, on behalf of the United States, any non-Federal land or interests therein situated within the park area herein prescribed, and in exchange therefor to convey park land or interests therein of approximately equal value.

Approved April 17, 1954.